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N.L. Wild Card: Cubs vs. Pirates Recap

Dexter Fowler singled in the top of the first inning, stole second and scored on a single to put the Cubs on top. Kyle Schwarber hit a two-run homer in the third inning to give the Cubs a 3-0 lead, and Fowler homered to increase the lead.

Benches cleared in the seventh inning when Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta was hit by a pitch from Pirates reliever Tony Watson.

While the benches cleared, the Cubs' Jake Arrieta walked off the field after being hit by a pitch from the Pirates' Tony Watson during the seventh inning.Credit Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

With two outs in the seventh inning, Tony Watson hit Jake Arrieta with a pitch, possibly in retaliation for Arrieta hitting Josh Harrison and Francisco Cervelli earlier in the game. The benches cleared, and while Arrieta was pulled away from the scrum, there appeared to be plenty of players seeking out some shoving and yelling. The Pirates’ Sean Rodriguez was particularly vocal as he was restrained by as many as three teammates.

The pitch caught Arrieta just above his left hip and he appeared unhurt but incredibly frustrated as Jeff Nelson, the home plate umpire, immediately warned the dugouts about future retaliation.

A long debate by the umpires ensued and Rodriguez had a boxing match with a Gatorade cooler before returning to the dugout stairs to yell things at Cubs players before heading into the clubhouse.

The game resumed and Arrieta immediately stole second base, adding a little insult to the Pirates’ bad day. It didn’t lead to anything as Dexter Fowler popped out to end the inning.